Ship-to-display-container

ABSTRACT

A shipping container and display system is provided, including an inner and an outer box, and first and second trays. The outer box is telescopically slidable over the inner box. The trays are slidable within the inner box. The first tray is stackable on top of the second tray. First and second two-part dividers are provided, each having partitioned walls, each divider having a side-by-side configuration and a stacked configuration. In a shipping configuration, the dividers are disposed in the side-by-side configuration in the trays, the trays are stacked and disposed in the inner box, and the outer box is disposed over the inner box to form a shipping container. In a display configuration, the inner and outer boxes are disposed top down, the dividers are disposed in stacked configurations in the interior of the boxes, and the trays are disposed on and supported by the dividers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the transportation of plants andflowers and/or other small items. More particularly, the presentinvention relates to the packaging, shipment and display of plants andflowers or other small items.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Due to the fragile nature of live plants and flowers and the stressplaced on them during the course of shipping, flower growers,distributors, and retailers must take special care regardingtransportation. Accordingly, there is a need for safe and efficientmeans by which to transport them.

Moreover, while retailers must not only receive plants and flowers insellable condition, a retail establishment must display them in such away as to maximize their desirability to a purchaser. Unpacking plantsand flowers from shipping containers or pallets, and then arranging themin a display can be labor intensive, time consuming, and thereforeexpensive.

Thus, there remains a need to develop a means by which to ship plantsand flowers and/or other small items efficiently and to enable aretailer to display them in a desirable manner without an unacceptableamount of effort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a shippingcontainer and display system is provided wherein the system has ashipping configuration and a display configuration. The system includesan inner box and an outer box, each having a closed top, an openinterior, and an open bottom. A first and a second tray are provided,each tray having an open interior, and an open top. The outer box istelescopically slidable over the inner box. The trays are slidablewithin the inner box and the first tray is stackable on top of thesecond tray. A first two-part divider having partitioned walls, has aside-by-side configuration sized to fill the open interior of the firsttray, and a stacked configuration. A second two-part divider havingpartitioned walls, also has a side-by-side configuration sized to fillthe open interior of the second tray, and a stacked configuration.

In the shipping configuration, the first two-part divider is disposed inthe side-by-side configuration in the first tray, the second two-partdivider is disposed in the side-by-side configuration in the secondtray, the second tray is stacked on the first tray to form a stackedtray and divider assembly, the stacked tray and divider assembly isdisposed in the inner box, and the outer box is disposed over the innerbox to form a shipping container. In the display configuration, theinner box is disposed with its top down, the outer box is disposed withits top down, the first two-part divider is disposed in its stackedconfiguration in the open interior of the inner box, the second two-partdivider is disposed in its stacked configuration in the open interior ofthe outer box, the first tray is disposed on and supported by thestacked first two-part divider, and the second tray is disposed andsupported by the stacked second two-part divider.

The inner box may be attached to the outer box by at least one fastener.The at least one fastener may be a folded portion of the inner boxconnected to a folded portion of the outer box.

In another, more detailed, exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, a shipping container and display system for plants or flowersis provided where the system has a shipping configuration and a displayconfiguration. The system includes an inner box having a closed top, aplurality of sides each having an outer surface and an inner surface, anopen interior, an open bottom, and a height. The outer surfaces of thesides bound an outer cross-sectional area. The inner surfaces of thesides bound an inner cross-sectional area. The system also includes anouter box having a closed top, a plurality of sides each having an outersurface and an inner surface, an open interior, an open bottom, and aheight. The inner surfaces of the sides bound an inner cross-sectionalarea. The height of the outer box is preferably substantially the sameas the height of the inner box. First and a second trays are providedwhere each tray has a closed bottom, a plurality of sides each having anouter surface and an inner surface, an open interior, an open top, andan overall height. The outer surfaces of the sides bound an outercross-sectional area. The height is preferably one half the height ofthe height of the inner box. The outer cross-sectional area of the innerbox is smaller than the inner cross-sectional area of the outer box suchthat the outer box is telescopically slidable over the inner box. Theouter cross-sectional areas of the trays are smaller than the innercross-sectional area of the inner box such that the trays are slidablewithin the inner box. The first tray is stackable on top of the secondtray. A first two-part divider has a side-by-side configuration and astacked configuration. The side-by-side configuration is sized to fillthe open interior of the first tray and has a matrix of divisions, eachdivision adopted to receive a plant or flower unit. A second two-partdivider has a side-by-side configuration and a stacked configuration.The side-by-side configuration is sized to fill the open interior of thesecond tray and has a matrix of divisions, each division adopted toreceive a plant or flower unit.

In the shipping configuration, the first two-part divider is disposed inthe side-by-side configuration in the first tray, the second two-partdivider is disposed in the side-by-side configuration in the secondtray, the second tray is stacked on the first tray to form a stackedtray and divider assembly, the stacked tray and divider assembly isdisposed in the inner box, and the outer box is disposed over the innerbox to form a shipping container.

In the display configuration, the inner box is disposed with its topdown, the outer box is disposed with its top down, the first two-partdivider is disposed in its stacked configuration in the open interior ofthe inner box, the second two-part divider is disposed in its stackedconfiguration in the open interior of the outer box, the first tray isdisposed on and supported by the stacked first two-part divider, and thesecond tray is disposed and supported by the stacked second two-partdivider.

The inner box may be attached to the outer box by at least one fastener.The at least one fastener may be a folded portion of the inner boxconnected to a folded portion of the outer box.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in conjunction with the followingdrawings, where in like reference numerals designate like elements andwherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a shipping container and display systemfor plants and flowers in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention, shown in a shipping container configuration;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the shipping container and display systemof FIG. 1, shown with an outer box removed;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the shipping container and display systemof FIG. 1, shown in a first deconstructed configuration with outer box,inner box, rectangular trays and two-part dividers shown;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the shipping container and display systemof FIG. 1, shown in a first partially constructed display configuration;

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the shipping container and display systemof FIG. 1, shown in a second partially constructed displayconfiguration;

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the shipping container and display systemof FIG. 1, shown in a third partially constructed display configuration;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the shipping container and display systemof FIG. 1, shown in a fourth partially constructed displayconfiguration;

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the shipping container and display systemof FIG. 1, shown in a fully constructed display configuration;

FIG. 9A is a simplified cross-section showing the outer cross-section ofthe inner box of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9B is a simplified cross-section showing the inner cross-section ofthe inner box of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9C is a simplified cross-section showing the outer cross-section ofthe outer box of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9D is a simplified cross-section showing the inner cross-section ofthe outer box of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9E is a simplified cross-section showing the outer cross-section ofthe first rectangular tray of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9F is a simplified cross-section showing the inner cross-section ofthe first rectangular tray of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9G is a simplified cross-section showing the outer cross-section ofthe second rectangular tray of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9H is a simplified cross-section showing the inner cross-section ofthe second rectangular tray of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the shipping container and displaysystem of FIG. 1, taken along lines X-X of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawing figures, wherein like reference numbersrefer to like elements throughout the several views, there is shown inFIGS. 1-8 an exemplary embodiment of a shipping container and displaysystem for plants or flowers 10. FIGS. 1-8 show, in chronological order,steps to transform the system 10 from a shipping container configuration12 (FIG. 1) to a display configuration 14 (FIG. 8).

Generally, while the present description is directed to shipping anddisplaying plants and flowers, any objects whatsoever suitable forshipping and display using the present system are intended to be withinthe scope of the present invention. For example, bottles (water, soda,alcohol, etc.),

The shipping container and display system 10 includes an inner box 16(preferably rectangular, but substantially any exterior shape isconsidered to be within the scope of the present invention) having aclosed top, four sides 20, 22, 24, 26 (each side having an outer surface20A, 22A, 24A, 26A, and an inner surface 20B, 22B, 24B, 26B, an openinterior 28, an open bottom 30, and a height 32. The outer surfaces 20A,22A, 24A, 26A of the four sides 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D bound an outercross-sectional area 34 (see FIG. 9A). The inner surfaces 20B, 22B, 24B,26B of the four sides 16A, 16B, 16C, 16D bound an inner cross-sectionalarea 36 (see FIG. 9B).

The shipping container and display system 10 also includes an outer box38 having a closed top 40, four sides 42, 44, 46, 48 (each side havingan outer surface 42A, 44A, 46A, 48A and an inner surface 42B, 44B, 46B,48B), an open interior 50, an open bottom 52, and a height 54. The outersurfaces 42A, 44A, 46A, 48A of the four sides 42, 44, 46, 48 bound anouter cross-sectional area 56 (see FIG. 9C). The inner surfaces 42B,44B, 46B, 48B of the four sides 42, 44, 46, 48 bound an innercross-sectional area 58 (see FIG. 9D). The height 54 of the rectangularouter box 38 is substantially the same as the height 32 of the inner box16.

The system 10 further includes a first tray 60 and a second tray 82. Thefirst tray 60 has a bottom 62, four sides 64, 66, 68, 70 (each having anouter surface 64A, 66A, 68A, 70A and an inner surface 64B, 66B, 68B,70B), an open interior 72, an open top 74, and an overall height 76, Theouter surfaces 64A, 66A, 68A, 70A of the four sides 64, 66, 68, 70 boundan outer cross-sectional area 78 (see FIG. 9E). See FIGS. 9A-9H. Theheight 76 of the first tray 60 is generally one half the height 32 ofthe inner box 16. The inner cross-sectional area 36 of the inner box 16is larger than the outer cross-sectional area 78 of the first tray 60such that the inner box 16 is telescopically slidable over the firsttray 60. See FIG. 10. The second tray 82 has a bottom 84, four sides 86,88, 90, 82 (each having an outer surface 86A, 88A, 90A, 92A and an innersurface 86B, 88B, 90B, 92B), an open interior 94, an open top 96, and anoverall height 98. The outer surfaces 86A, 88A, 90A, 92A of the foursides 86, 88, 90, 92 bound an outer cross-sectional area 100 (see FIG.9G). The height 98 is generally one half the height 32 of the inner box16. The inner cross-sectional area 36 of the inner box 16 is larger thanthe outer cross-sectional area 100 of the second tray 82 such that theouter box 38 is telescopically slidable over the inner box 16. See FIG.10. The first tray 60 is stackable on top of the second tray 82. SeeFIGS. 3 and 4.

A first two-part divider 104A, 104B is provided for receipt in the firstrectangular tray 60. The first two-part divider 104A, 104B haspartitioned walls 106 forming a matrix of divisions 108, where eachdivision 108 is adopted to receive a plant or flower unit 126. In theshipping configuration (described below), the first two-part divider104A, 104B is disposed in a side-by-side configuration in the openinterior 72 the first rectangular tray 60. See FIG. 6. A second two-partdivider 110A, 110B is provided for receipt in the second rectangulartray 82. The second two-part divider 110A, 110B also has partitionedwalls 112 forming a matrix of divisions 114, where each division 114 isadopted to receive a plant or flower unit 126.

In the shipping configuration (see FIG. 1), the first two-part divider104A, 104B is disposed in a side-by side configuration in the openinterior 72 of the first rectangular tray 60, the second two-partdivider 110A, 11B is disposed in the second in a side-by-sideconfiguration in the open interior 114 of the rectangular tray 82, thesecond rectangular tray 92 is stacked on the first rectangular tray 60to form a stacked tray and divider 96 (see FIG. 3). The stacked tray anddivider 96 are disposed in the inner box 16, and the outer box 38 isdisposed over the inner box 16 to form a shipping container 98 (see FIG.1).

In the display configuration 14, (see FIG. 8) the inner box 16 isdisposed with its top 18 down, the outer box 38 is disposed with its top40 down, the first two-part-divider 104A, 104B is separated and placedin a stacked configuration in the open interior 28 of the inner box 16,the second two-part divider 110A, 110B is separated and placed in astacked configuration in the open interior 50 of the outer box 38, thefirst tray 60 is disposed on and supported by the stacked first two-partdivider 104A, 104B, and the second tray 82 is disposed and supported bythe stacked second two-part divider 110A, 110B.

In the display configuration 14, the inner box 16 may be attached to theouter box 38 by one or more fasteners 100. Here, the fasteners may be afolded portion 102 of the inner box 16 connected to a folded portion 104of the outer box 38.

It is to be understood that the disclosure teaches just one example ofthe illustrative embodiment and that many variations of the inventioncan easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading thisdisclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A shipping container and display system, thesystem having a shipping configuration and a display configuration, thesystem comprising: (a) an inner box and an outer box, each having aclosed top, an open interior, and an open bottom; (b) a first and asecond tray, each tray having an open interior, and an open top; (c)wherein the outer box is telescopically slidable over the inner box; (d)wherein the trays are slidable within the inner box, and wherein thefirst tray is stackable on top of the second tray; (e) a first two-partdivider having partitioned walls, and having a side-by-sideconfiguration sized to fill the open interior of the first tray, and astacked configuration; and (f) a second two-part divider havingpartitioned walls, and having a side-by-side configuration sized to fillthe open interior of the second tray, and a stacked configuration. 2.The shipping container and display system of claim 1, wherein in theshipping configuration, the first two-part divider is disposed in theside-by-side configuration in the first tray, the second two-partdivider is disposed in the side-by-side configuration in the secondtray, the second tray is stacked on the first tray to form a stackedtray and divider assembly, the stacked tray and divider assembly isdisposed in the inner box, and the outer box is disposed over the innerbox to form a shipping container; and wherein in the displayconfiguration, the inner box is disposed with its top down, the outerbox is disposed with its top down, the first two-part divider isdisposed in its stacked configuration in the open interior of the innerbox, the second two-part divider is disposed in its stackedconfiguration in the open interior of the outer box, the first tray isdisposed on and supported by the stacked first two-part divider, and thesecond tray is disposed and supported by the stacked second two-partdivider.
 3. The shipping container and display system of claim 1,wherein in the display configuration, the inner box is attached to theouter box by at least one fastener.
 4. The shipping container anddisplay system of claim 3, wherein the at least one fastener comprises afolded portion of the inner box connected to a folded portion of theouter box.
 5. A shipping container and display system for plants orflowers, the system having a shipping configuration and a displayconfiguration, the system comprising: (a) an inner box having a closedtop, a plurality of sides each having an outer surface and an innersurface, an open interior, an open bottom, and a height, the outersurfaces of the sides bounding an outer cross-sectional area, the innersurfaces of the sides bounding an inner cross-sectional area; (b) anouter box having a closed top, a plurality of sides each having an outersurface and an inner surface, an open interior, an open bottom, and aheight, the inner surfaces of the sides bounding an innercross-sectional area, the height of the outer box being substantiallythe same as the height of the inner box; (c) a first and a second tray,each tray having a closed bottom, a plurality of sides each having anouter surface and an inner surface, an open interior, an open top, andan overall height, the outer surfaces of the sides bounding an outercross-sectional area, the height being generally one half the height ofthe height of the inner box; (d) wherein the outer cross-sectional areaof the inner box is smaller than the inner cross-sectional area of theouter box such that the outer box is telescopically slidable over theinner box; (e) wherein the outer cross-sectional areas of the trays aresmaller than the inner cross-sectional area of the inner box such thatthe trays are slidable within the inner box, and wherein the first trayis stackable on top of the second tray; (f) a first two-part dividerhaving a side-by-side configuration sized to fill the open interior ofthe first tray and having a matrix of divisions, each division adoptedto receive a plant or flower unit, and a stacked configuration; (g) asecond two-part divider having a side-by-side configuration sized tofill the open interior of the second tray and having a matrix ofdivisions, each division adopted to receive a plant or flower unit, anda stacked configuration; wherein, in the shipping configuration, thefirst two-part divider is disposed in the side-by-side configuration inthe first tray, the second two-part divider is disposed in theside-by-side configuration in the second tray, the second tray isstacked on the first tray to form a stacked tray and divider assembly,the stacked tray and divider assembly is disposed in the inner box, andthe outer box is disposed over the inner box to form a shippingcontainer; and wherein, in the display configuration, the inner box isdisposed with its top down, the outer box is disposed with its top down,the first two-part divider is disposed in its stacked configuration inthe open interior of the inner box, the second two-part divider isdisposed in its stacked configuration in the open interior of the outerbox, the first tray is disposed on and supported by the stacked firsttwo-part divider, and the second tray is disposed and supported by thestacked second two-part divider.
 6. The shipping container and displaysystem of claim 5, wherein in the display configuration, the inner boxis attached to the outer box by at least one fastener.
 7. The shippingcontainer and display system of claim 6, wherein the at least onefastener comprises a folded portion of the inner box connected to afolded portion of the outer box.